EGYPTIAN LITERARY WORKS

1. SOLITUDE’ BY DORIA SHAFIK

(POETRY)

One of the most iconic feminists of

Egyptian modern history, Doria Shafik is
well-known for her political activism and
advanced education. Not only was she
editor in chief of Bint Al Nil (Daughter of
the Nile) and La Femme Nouvelle (The
Modern Woman), she also founded an
Egyptian feminist organization and lead
women to storm Parliament to obtain
their right to vote.

2. ‘RYTHMIC EXERCISE’ BY
MOHAMED MAKHZANGI
(SHORT STORY)
An unusual yet captivating short story
by Mohamed Makhzangi; it narrates the
simple idea of a family’s quest to combat
obesity and gain fitness during a time
where Egypt’s sunset-to-dawn curfew
was active. The family resorts to dancing
and making simple exercises, latching on
to any resemblance of having a normal
life during times of political unrest. The
story ends in a shocking twist. Makhzangi
is a Cairo-based writer who first
practicing medicine before making a
career shift to journalism and writing. He
has published several volumes of short
stories and his work has been translated
in five languages.
 3. ‘TO ME BELONGS YESTERDAY, I
KNOW NOT TOMORROW’ AND
‘THE EGYPTIAN’ BY NASHWA
GOWANLOCK (POETRY)
There are few Egyptian poems that
can link the life of Egyptians today with
their elements of their ancient path. One
poet, Gowanlock, tackles playfully this
link. A translator, journalist and writer,
she holds an MFA in Writing from the
Vermont College of Fine Arts.Two
wonderful poems of hers, published on
Anomaly, speak of connecting to one’s
roots based on the decision of adopting an
Egyptian cat, and one is inspired from the
Egyptian Book of the Dead

4. THE OPEN DOOR’ BY

ABDELRAHMAN MUNIF (SHORT
STORY)

This is a  fantastic short story by

one of the most prominent novelists of
the Arab world, Abdelrahman Munif.
The latter, author of ‘Cities of Salt’,
wrote two short story collections,
twelve works of non-fiction and
twelve novels. Having adopted an
anti-imperialist stance for years,
Munif was also critical of Saudi
Arabia’s regime and the war in Iraq.
Many of his life experiences, namely
his immigration and travels were
reflected in his work.

This emotional masterpiece

narrates the story of a young man due
to travel away from his family and
country only to find resistance from
his grandmother at his decision. Bit by
bit, Munif unravels a tragic backdrop
story which leaves the reader to
reflect on themes of family, grief and
travel.
 5.  ‘THE TREASURE’ BY
YOUSSEF IDRIS (SHORT
STORY)
Another Egyptian literary whizz
who does not need an introduction is
Youssef Idris. The physician turned
journalist also had a long career
writing for Egypt’s official news
outlet, Al Ahram. Throughout his life,
he wrote 11 collections of short
stories and nine plays which were
translated into 24 languages.

Considered a master of the short

story format, he sought to illustrate
the lives of simple, modern-day
Egyptians and villagers.

His story, ‘The Treasure’ narrates

a policeman’s encounter with a
forged cheque which he keeps for
himself.